Catalina Research and Ceramic Tile And Stone Consultants, Inc. (CTaSC), a national company providing marketing research and business planning services, announced the release of their 2013 Catalina Report on Natural and Manufactured Stone.
The 2013 Catalina Report on Natural and Manufactured Stone reportis an in-depth industry investigation of the $7.3 billion U.S. natural and manufactured stone product industry. The U.S. stone product market has been recovering since 2011 and the recovery has continued to strengthen during 2013. The surge in new home construction has led the recovery, as seen by the 28.2% increase in housing starts in 2012 and an estimated 31.6% gain during 2013. The residential remodeling market is also benefiting from the increase in existing home sales and the rise in home prices. The increase in existing home sales stimulates homeowner remodeling projects and the rise in home prices is an incentive for non-movers to invest in their homes and upgrade to stone countertops and flooring. As the residential market grows in importance, stone product suppliers have increased their reliance on the home center channel. Currently, however, the important non-residential market is lagging compared to the overall recovery due to the decline in public building construction activity.
The Natural and Manufactured Stone report includesthe following important sections that will allow industry companies to analyze the various segments, channels, and trends of the stone industry:
• The recovery in residential markets has benefited demand for countertops. Countertop sales are outpacing overall sales in the natural and manufactured stone sectors. Quartz stone is also taking share in the countertop market. This report can be used to analyze all end-use market and applications.
• Granite and marble are the most important natural stone product materials and are also growing at the sharpest rate. Manufactured stone (concrete tiles) and engineered quartz products are also outpacing overall industry growth. The report tracks the sourcing of all types of stone from domestic and foreign suppliers. U.S. sales and imports of manufactured and engineered stone are tracked in a separate section.
• Stone prices remain sluggish, which has improved the competitive position of stone products. Price trends are tracked by type of stone.
• Prices have remained sluggish due to the competitive nature of this industry, despite some consolidation during the recession. Competitive pressures are currently increasing from imports, as foreign-sourced products regain ground during the recovery. Import trends are tracked by country of origin.
• The important home center channel sources directly, however, independent importers and distributors primarily sell to other retailers and installers, according to a survey by Ceramic Tile And Stone Consulting. The CTaSC survey provides data and information on the sales and markets for stone product importers, fabricators, and stone product manufacturers. In addition, the report estimates the ceramic tile and stone installation materials, maintenance products, and tool market.
• Residential sales are expected to lead sales growth over the next five years as builders construct new housing units to meet the pent-up demand created by the household formations during the recession. The Catalina Report is a useful resource for planning sales growth over the next five years.
These and other findings were uncovered in the 2013 Catalina Report on Natural and Manufactured Stone Products. This in-depth 250 page industry investigation covers all aspects of this industry including mines and quarries, stone product processors and fabricators, manufactured stone producers, importers, and installers.
This comprehensive publication provides an in-depth analysis of the U.S. and Canadian stone industry based on U.S. government statistics and market resources. Some of the topics that are covered include Trends and Forecasts for the stone industry and the current state of the economy, Sales by Type of Stone, Engineered/Quartz Stone, Manufactured Stone (made of concrete), End-use Markets Trends and Demographics, Economic Factors Effecting Demand for Stone, Imports and Exports, Installers, Retailers, Home Centers, Floor Covering Channels, and Internet Sales Channels.
The 2013 Natural and Manufactured Stone analysiswill assist industry companies to take advantage of the current recovery in the natural and manufactured stone product markets.
Donato Pompo, president of CTaSC, underscored the importance of the information gathered from the stone industry by stating, “In-depth information about the stone industry is very hard to come by.” He added, “It’s vital for all of us to know what’s going on in the market and understand how the current state of the economy will affect our business and our future opportunities.”
This is the fifth version of the Catalina Stone Report (the first was in 2003). For more information and pricing on the 2013 Natural and Manufactured Stone Product Report contact CTaSC at 866-669-1550 or visit the CTaSC website at www.CTaSC.com.
